ZINNEKE PARADE

Zinneke Parade

costume design for Zinnode International BRZ'NKO ŠTROÏ

Brussels, Belgium

2024

The Zinneke Parade in

Brussels is a collaborative event that transcends traditional notions of belonging and

identity, serving as a huge celebration of otherness. The word “zinneke” means

"bastard dog" and is used by the people of Brussels to celebrate the fact that they

are “a product of mixed ethnicities, languages, and cultures” (Urban Dictionary). The

parade happens every two years and involves over 2,000 participants from different

ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Participants in the parade form smaller groups

called zinnodes, with each zinnode consisting of about 100 people. These groups

begin preparing and working together for the parade half a year before it takes place.

Each zinnode is supported and worked with by at least two professional artists, who

help to realize the contemporary carnival for one day through music, dance, and

costumes. The topic of the 2024 parade was pleasure.

Artistic coordinators: Jo Zanders & Vital Schraenen

Costume designer: Lisette Sivard

Participants/partners:

MJ Indigo – Mouv’2 Rue (La Louvière), De Batterij – DROM (Leuven), Velvet Carnival (Prague)

Masopust Parade (Roztoky), La Fabrique des Impossibles – Rêvons Rue (Paris)

Oi Musica (Edinburgh), EELT Collectief (Tilburg), ICAF (Rotterdam), MetX (Brussels)